A few unrelated thoughts.Nice guys come last!

I have been annoying the latest Management team at Group Lotus /DRB-Hicom / Proton with my proposal.

I sent them a link to my TV interview.
 http://motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com/index.php?id=35

and a link to the SKY report on a Sports UNIVERSITY
http://motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com/index.php?id=36

Nothing new there! Come on Guys! Be nice. Invest in this project.

I see Dany Bahar's company car is for sale. Dany is suing DRB-Hicom for over £6.7 million for wrongful dismissal.

Proton gave him a 4 year contract just before DRB-Hicom bought them. Syed Zainal the Man responsible is no longer with proton.

Dany's settlement would be about $10 USA million.

Just goes to show how much top notch leaders get.

I remember when attending ASLI Auto conference 2009, a mystery high level recruiter sidled up to me at Proton's test track, and nattered on about his Red Bull/Ferrari client. How people don't mind paying for success.

I always remember Kevin, my boss at Lotus saying 'John, remember nice guys always come last!'

Kevin has now gone on to marry his new teenage bride, and heads up a prestigeous engineering consultancy.

Friendships in the Auto industry don't tend to run deep.

Pretending to be nice is important though.

As to whether I am nice, that is for others to judge.

My time will come. Of that I'm sure.

Syed Zainal resigns, Dany Bahar suspended

Today, a number of media outlets say that Proton MD Dato Syed Zainal has resigned from Proton and Dany Bahar has been suspended by DRB-Hicom.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-18215542
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120526002024/Article/index_html

I have been in contact with both about my MUM proposal.
No real interest shown.
I moderated in ASLI Automotive conference in 2010. I shared a stage with Syed Zainal.
He was very polite and a very good speaker. I wish him well.

I moderated session 3.
The German eco warrior Mr Matthias Gelber was very entertaining.
http://www.slideshare.net/wrusso1011/3rd-kuala-lumpur-international-automotive-conference

I met the Proton Advisor, and had my photo taken.

I assume DRB-Hicom are going to be more hands on.
Naturally, I have sent a presentation to the DRB-Hicom MD plus others.
See what happens.
I have received very good feedback on my Charity book. It is now available in print.
Please buy it!

http://www.samasama.de/innocence-lost-in-the-ice-cream-forest/

Leave a comment or go to Amazon, buy the book and write a review.

Corporate Shenanigans. Dany Bahar and Azman bin Abdullah open a new company

The Lotus soap goes on.
I'm not sure what comment to make on this...
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/norfolk_mp_presses_for_house_of_commons_debate_on_the_future_of_group_lotus_1_1350788

Now, in a further twist, the EDP has learned that Group Lotus boss Dany Bahar was instrumental with another director, Azman Bin Abdullah, in registering a new joint venture, Lotus Youngman, at Companies House on January 13, three days before the sale of Proton was announced.

Lotus last night said Mr Bahar was unavailable to comment as he was heading to the Beijing Motor Show with officials from China Youngman, which imports Lotus cars.

comment

As I write... It looks like Syed Zainal is now Proton MD . I met Syed at an ASLI conference. I was the moderator when he presented his paper. He was very professional. I liked him. He did say he would look at my proposal. As far as I know he has not.

This a video, taken a day or two ago. Syed Zainal is presenting the New Proton Preve. I assume the people he shares the stage with know of Dany Bahar's 'Corporate' status? 

Proton and Lotus Renault Management in Malaysia for the F1 Grand prix

I see that the Renault team have had a Proton plant trip (Shah Alam) and that the Lotus Rnault management team are in town (Kuala Lumpur). Pic borrowed from Paul Tan

I sincerely hope this talented team take the time to discuss the MUM project.
It dovetails nicely into their plans domestically in both Malaysia and Hethel.
Hethel has been approved for updates and expansion.

 It's global reach also ticks the correct boxes for established and developing markets.
Financially it works (in theory).
Lets do it.

Congratulation to UTM on gaining Research status.Proton (Lotus) to have professorship chair.

UTM a Johor (Iskandar region) based public University has just received Research status.
The Managing Director of Proton makes an interesting comment regarding Lotus.
Tony Fernandes received an honorary Doctorate from UTM in the recent past.
I have copied this quote directly from the UTM site.
Dato’ Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir Managing Director, Proton Holdings Sdn. Bhd.


 “Proton and UTM have initiated a professorship chair to further promote research and collaboration between the private sector and public institutions of higher learning. Jointly, Proton and UTM will conduct research to improve current technologies while developing new areas of research for green technology. This would include the involvement of Lotus.”

I have to assume the MD meant Group Lotus. Lotus F1 already has partnership agreements in place with both Petronas University and UTM.
I'd be interested to know what a "Professorship chair" entails exactly.